Broadhead, Mrs Beverley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY216283 Inspection date 26 October 2005 Inspector Pauline Garfield

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and 4 in Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children under 5 and one child over 5 for a variety of times. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of an approved network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of washing hands before snack and after using the toilet reduces the risk of infections and cross contamination. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are encouraged to eat healthy food, for example, they choose which fruit they would like to eat for snack on a daily basis. Meal times are well organised and flexible enough to meet children's individual needs, as agreed with their parents. Older children play an active part in the setting, make choices and help clear the table. This successfully helps children develop their independence. Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to good health. For example, children are able to access the outdoor area where they can use a range of physical equipment. They enjoy visits to the local park on a regular basis, visit local attractions

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Helping children to be healthy

and places of interest. This promotes their physical development and wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder identifies risks and takes steps to reduce them. She has effective safety measures in place which enable children to move around safely, freely and independently. Children have a good understanding of safety which is developed through discussions. For example, the childminder teaches road safety when taking children out. Children independently select activities from a range of quality toys and equipment, which meets safety standards. Toys and resources are regularly cleaned and checked frequently to ensure they are safe and that there are no broken parts. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choices to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's safety and welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well, are happy, confident and make themselves at home. They share a warm, friendly and caring relationship with the childminder, which contributes to their sense of security and belonging. Children are offered a varied range of interesting and stimulating activities and experiences which contribute to their development both indoors and outside. Opportunities for children to enjoy creative play are particularly good and they become engaged and involved, for example, when using a good range of craft materials to make cards. All children participate in the activity which is adapted to the age and stage of the development of the children who attend. Children spend their time purposefully. They learn together with the childminder who makes good use of opportunities to help children develop their mark making and writing skills. Children benefit from the childminder's individual attention, support and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouragement which gives them confidence and develops their self-esteem. Young children are helped to develop their communication skills as the childminder listens and pays attention to them, talking to them as they play. Children of all ages are encouraged to make decisions and choices and to self select activities and resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children make choices and decisions on what equipment to use from the meaningful range of activities and equipment provided by the childminder. They learn about their local community through routine outings to places of interest and local parks. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well as they follow their normal routine as discussed with their parents. Children show care and concern for one another and develop self-esteem and respect for others as they consider their own needs and the needs of others. For example they take into consideration other children's feelings when playing with equipment and take turns and share. They behave very well. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to toys and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children are praised, encouraged and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

respond well to spoken words and activities which promote their all-round development and individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 has attended appropriate training courses and demonstrates good, effective child care skills. She provides a service which is flexible and addresses children's different needs. Most policies are in place and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. A complaints procedure is in place but this does not contain a procedure to maintain a complaints record. Information is shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and development. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last Inspection the childminder has updated her knowledge and understanding of child protection and management behaviour strategies through training courses. All childminding records are kept in a confidential manner and a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed in the event of a complaint is in place. This contributes to children's overall safety and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide and maintain a complaints record.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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